Electric switch



March 2 6, 1929. I iw. LINDSAY A1,706,793

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 1l, 1923v Patented Mar. 26, 1929.

*UNITED s'rATEsrATENr @mee WILLIAM: LINDSAY, rF CHICAGO,` ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 ECONOMY FUSE AND MANUFACTURING 0U-, .0F CHIGAGO, ILLINOIS, vA.,CO1"-EOIBA 'IION OF NEW YORK.

Application led July 11,

This invention relates to that class of.l

' electric switches in which a movable contact member forY electrically conductive switch member is operated by actuating means coIn' operate the movable contact, to open and close an electric circuit. y

The principal object of the inventionis to provide a simple,ieconomical and efficient electric switch.

Other and. further objects ofthe invention will appearl'rom the following description andy claims, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings which aremade a part hereof.

The invention consists in the features, combinations, details of construction, 'and arrangements of parts 'herein described and claimed. n

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in elevation of an improved electric switch constructed in accordance lwith my invention, showing the same mounted in operative position in and adapted forjusel in connection with an eelectric lamp socket or other device yfor connecting elect-ric wires or conductors and for making and breaking an velectric circuit for lighting or other purposes; y Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section taken on line'2-2 of Fig.` 1, looking 'inthe direcvtion indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3, is an enlarged perspectiveview of my improved electric switch of the forni shown in Figs. l and 2; v

Figz 4 is a similar'perspective view of an electric switch constructed' iin accordance l y Vdicular to the face of the base plate 2 and with my invention, showing the same provided with a p'ullchain and reciprocating ratchet mechanism for rotating thefactuating spring and its rotative supporting shaft, for setting the spring at a tension in a plurality of predetermined positionsV successively, to open and close an electric circuit for lighting or other purposes;

Fig. 5. is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5*-5 of Fig."1 looking in the directionindicated by the arrows, and shows the centrall contact terminal and electric connecf tiens forming apart of an electriccircuit ELECTRIC; SWITCH.

i923. serial` No. 650,813.

within whichy the contact terminals and other electrically conductive elements shown vin Figs. 1 and 2 are eni'bracedyand Figo is a perspective view of 'a portion Contact member or bridgingswitch member. I n constructing an improved electric switch in accordance withmy invention and improvements, I provide aframel 'which may be of any desired ordinary and well known form ladapted to support thel operatcut and 'bent or stamped to form a base 2 and supporting standards' 3y and 4, all

',formed, by preference,of one integral piece of sheet metal and adapted to lbe connected with Vsuitably insulated parts of a lamp socket, vor `other socket, or similar or equivalent device for connecting electric conductors, or for opening and closing an electric circuit for lighting or other purposes.

Iny the form of the device shown in the `accompanying drawings a guiding member or guiding stop 5, adapted to support and vguide a movable Contact member or bridg-k ing switch'member6,.is provided,-jand, by preference, also formed in. one integral piece with vsaidbase Zand standardsor supports la'ndl. V 'f Y"The'base 2, standards 3 and 4, and guiding kstop 5 thusform a simple and efficient onepie'ce supporting means. or frame for supporting the movable-parts of my improved vswitch mechanism.

The standards 3 and 4, which are perpenlshaft 9, which is adaptefdto be turned orv rotated intermittently or in-a stepA by step manner in oneydirection yifdesiredas in a fof 'a modified form of my improved electric f switch, showing a modified formA of movableV "auv vpull switch, such for example as the pull rswitch shown invr Fig. 4, 'or'.turned ror4 par,`

tially rotated in veither direction or in opposite directions alternately er successively in'` i `or other purposes.

predetermined order, or as desired, as when used in a snap switch, such for example as the switch shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8.

In the form of the device shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 stationary contact terminals 19 and 11 are provided and mounted in an insulating member 12, which may be one of a pair ot insulating'members 12 and 13 ont an electric socket 1/1, which may be an incandescent electric,lampsoclret or other form of socket or device for connecting electric conduct rs oit an electric circuit for lighting The insulating socket members 12 and 13 may be formed of porcelain, hard rubber, commercial insulating liber, insulating composition, or other ordinary and well known or suitable form ot insulating material, and are mounted in iixed relation to each other in the usual metallic shell or casing 15, which may be 4a connectingl switch socket or an ordinary incandescentA lamp socket, or other similar or equivalent device for connecting or supporting electric conductors oi" a circuitin or in connection Vwith which my improved switch is to be used.

T he base plate 2 ot the frame 1 mounted on the inside of the shell 15, which may be of any desired ordinary and well known form of' switch socket casingior shell, and has a cylindrical casing portion 1G which surrounds the insulating members 12 and 13,

vwhich are secured in fixed relation to each other on the insideof the shell 15 orsoclret 14. The insulating plates or members 12 and 13 are so formed as'to provide a space 17 in which the trame 1, and the moving parts of the switch supported by said frame are mounted. And the frame 1 is secured to one 'of lthe insulating members 12 or 13sfor example, the insulating plate 12,-by means o1 a screw`18 or other suitable securing means which may be ot any desired suitable i'orm. And the shell or casing member 1G has an opening 18 which maybe oi anysuitable torni adapted to receive or admit an operating element such as the Astem 19 o a thumb` nut or button 20, or the chain y21 ot' a chain and ratchet mechanism for operating the rotative vswitch member or shailt 9, and which chain and ratchet mechanism may be ot any desired ordinary and well known or suitable` form, and may be operatively connected with the rotative switch member or shaft 9, or other or equivalent means :tor setting the actuating spring 22 at a tension. In the 'form of the device shown in Fig. Ll the pull chain or flexible operating member 21 is operatively connected with the rotative shaft or stem 9 by means of a pawl and ratchet mecl'ianism 29 which maybe of the usual or any desired ordinary and well known or suitable form of pawl andV ratchet mechanism adapted to reciprocate or oscillate` back and 'forth upon ci guiding stop the stem or rotative shaft 9, so as to rotate the latter Vintermittent-ly or in a step by steif) manner a halt ot a complete revolution ot' said shaft 9 for each forward step or halt revolution o1 the ratchet mechanism 29. rIhe ratchet mechanism 25 is provided with the usual spring-not'showntor retracting or reversing the direction of rotation et the ratchet wheel, and with the usual pawl, click or detent-nct shown-opcratively connecting the. ratchet wheel 2li with lthe stem or shaft 9 or equivalent element .for setting or rotating the actuating` spring intermittently. A mechanisms are well known in the art to which this invention relates, it is deemed un-r necesary to further describe or illustrate such a device herein.

In the 'form of the device shown in Figa stationary Contact terminalsv 25, 26 are shown which are so mounted in the insulation 12 on opposite sides ot the stationary guiding and stop member 5 and movable contact member or bridging switch member G that the lat-ter engages and forms an electrical connection between said contactso and 26 when the rmovable Contact member G is in its lowered position, or at the' oX As such pawl and ratchet tremity ci' its path of movement nearest to Y i the base plate 2. In all other respectsthe stationary Contact erminals 25 and 26 arev identical in construction and mode ot' operation, and electrically connected with the binding posts and other connections and electric conductors in the same manner, as the stationary contact terminals 10, 11 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

YInrthe form of the device shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the stationary cont-act terminals 10,11, are mounted in the insulating' meinber 12 on opposite sides of the movable contact member or bridging switch member 6 in position to engage the opposite e; remi- Vties .or coiitaet surfaces et projecting `end portions 2T, 28 et theV said movable contact member or briiilgingswitcli member G whe..

thelat-ter is in raised position or at the upper extremity o1' its path ot movement, or,

in other words, a' vthe. c "iremity oft 'the movement ot Jthe part G which farthest 'from thobase 2. And it is obvious that Vthe stationary contacts 19, 11 may be used with a pull switch, such 'tor example the switch showui in Fig. Ll, as weil as with the form ot switch shown in Figs. 1, n the contact terminals 19, 11, 25, may used with the form ol' switch shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, or Fig. 6, as well as inthe form of switch shown in Fig. el. y

In the form ot the device shown in VFi 1, 2, and 3, and also in the term ormoditication shown in Fig. 6, the guiding member 5 provided withparallel side margins or guidingedges 29, 39 `upon and in sliding engagement with whichithe izo movable contact or bridging member l6 is slidablv mounted in position to movev into and out of engagement with the correspond ing adjacent stationary contact terminals 10,

,711, or 25, 2621s' .the casemay be; and a sutable checking device or means forstoppine,

and restraininv checkin@ and releasinsfand '17 l t1 c:

opposed detentopenings, notches lor sockets 8l, 32, are provided, having, by preference, approximately circular walls 33, 3ft, and each havin@ a .sde opening or mouthl provided with detentshoulder 3G on one or both sides' of such mouth or side Opening adapted to slidably and releasably engage and admit, cheek,or restrain and release and permit the movement of the` actuating resilient element or actuatngspring .22, the outer or tree end 3.7 of which extends loosely through and is rotative in a circular opening` or perforation SSin the4 movable con? tact member or reciprocating bridging switchmembcr G. An elongated opemng or Y space which may be in the form of an elongated slot 39 is provided between the opi posed or upper` and lower openings, notches or sockets 3l, 32, and is adaptedto permit the free reciprocate/ry movement of the spi-Eng 22 through said space or opening or slet 39 from one tothe other of sai-d opposed Vsockets or lopposed shouldered openings 31,

32, when the spring is turned to a posi-tion in either oit' said openings 3l, 32, to cause it to be rst restrained and then released by a corresponding detent or` shoulder 36 and al'- lowed to snap past such detent or shoulder and into the opposite socket or shouldered opening or` notch 3l, 32, carrying with it' the movable contact member 6, which is thus actuated by the spring 22 with al quick snappine` movement into and out ofv circuit vmaking and circuit breaking positions, respectively.

yThe actuating spring or resilient yactuating member 22 is rotatively mounted upon a suitable support: For example, said spring is folded upon itself so as to form one or more helical windings or laps i0 which encircle a bent end portieri Lll of the rotative shaft or stem 9 already described.; and the adjacent orattachcd end or non-reciprocat-.K

ing extremity d2 of said spring 22 is in engagement with or attached to the stem or shaft 9 in Aany suitable ordinary and well known manne-r, for example, by beingheld or secured in engagement with the shoulderl portion 43, or other suitably formed portion a ive shaft or stein 91 f,

of the spring outward at an oblique an 37 which normally projects outward radially from and at an oblique angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the spring is'adapted to'reciprocate or snap from one side. top an-j.

' other of the axis of rotation as the spring is turned or intermittently rotated and set at al tension and released, and thus carries with Y it and propels or drives the movable contact i member or bridging switch member '6 into and out of 'circuit lclosing position, and into and out of contact with `the stationary con-` ltact` terminals located on 'oppositesides 'of said movable contact member 6, y

The inner extremity or attachedend p0rt-ion of the spring arm 22 as well as the coiled portion of the spring lmay be at ythe axis or center-ot' rotation of the spring, so `that when the spring is in normal or released position vit extends outward'from the axis and at an oblique angle with respectto said axis, on one side of the same, and extends into a corresponding shouldered socket lor opening 8l or 3,2, as the case may bef-for example, as shown invfull lines in Figs. l, '3, 4 and 6, respectively. a

lWhen the spring 22 is in the position shown in Figs. l, 3 andi/l, in full lines, having carried with it the movable Contact member V6, the spring is relaxed, and will so remain until it is turned or rotated va partot a revolution upon its axistwhichis in a plane perpendicular to the direction ofthe path of movement of theV movable contactmember 6 ing or movable Contact member. or bridging switch member 6. ,When the spring arm 37 is thus in released or normal position in eithery of the sockets or openings 31,32, it is only necessary to turn the actuating spring 22 half of af complete revolution upon its axis thus turning or partially rotating` .the spring arm 37 in the socket .3l or 32, as the case may be, tov set or position the spring at a tension in such socket or opening 3l or 32, and cause it to be first restrained or-'releasably held at a tension in engagement with a v,corresponding,detent or checking shoulder 36 which is thus in contact with and in position'to first check and-then release and rpermitthe free unobstructed movement of the "spring, And thespring, thus set or. posi" Vquick-accting as desired7 and may nevertlieles cliec red by a tion'ed and relezisubly lield et o. tension end tben released, is canned to move with e quick snapping; action irom one socket 3L or 32,

and its corresponding detent B6 to another or be turned upon its :i: s and thus set :i tensiem and releesably held or restrained by the wells et the socket l or 32 the cene may be5 While being;` turned to a 'position in which it v:will be iifst releesably held or corresponding;-

ring` engaging; detent oo, and tlien released and `permitted to spring` from oner socket 3l or 32 into ei other, iand from one side to another of its axis7 cerryingi` Wil'li it, the movable Contact member or bridging switch member 6.

' From tbe oregofmg` description it Will be readily understood that the zictnatingspring 22 may be retetively ,mounted in any suitable manner, and is es epted to be turned er rotated intermittently in either direction, or in opposite directions elternLikely7 and tbj tbe detcnts or detent elioiilde 8G being located on opposite sides of and equal distances from the exis of rotation of tbe spring` and between the opposite extremities of tbe pri-tb ol" movement of tbe spring, Lire adapted to cliecl and releesebly hold and release 'the spring' in :L plurality olf predetermined positions en opposite eid-es olf tbe tion of tbe spring, :nid on opposite siens of the center of 'the piath o1 reeiprocetcry movementk of tbe movable Contact member end reciproczitory spring* :.n'ir. find tbe spring' md me faible Contact member are illus releeszrbly held While the spring is et e tension in :L plurality of posioions nite netcly o -snccessi'.fely in predctermined order und inde endently oi' the movable :ontect inember G. Tlierl', is to say, libe detente 3G :re :adapted to :1nd in practice do srctueily engage the spring' nml bold. it relezisebly zit it tension independently olf tbe movable contect member wbie is time not :nibjcced t: any unnecessei-L'y friction und is not require' tr not is e means for checking s own ment or the movement 'olf tbe actua sgrmg, lor to serve nv wir or 'BSC ln any form. of the device in. which the ectueting Spring or l equix'felent actuating nent is only required to be turned or roes is shown to lmfve one sl ,Y i detcnt 36 for eeebsocket or shouldered opening 3L eac-li oi:V eid detent: beine' on the side of the opening,` or s Vf' 'e en; d by tbe sp inges it fion released end permitted tion; such opening end from en- ;ei ienit will si cli detent. And it is obvious that intermediate opening7 spece or ,csired :term endirmey "i lian the sence vbetween ders '3G ci the respective .y respeetively. y t

`oir-ry cintict terminal or terterminels l0, ll, 25,

, oi n eqn ots-:rre connected b e 'go lectric supply, and emeil r i? f eL-tric circuit inclmlingv e i or l i. ier current eonsrimmg^ ce to b i Witl. electricity, in

my desir f sind well known Or leed-in Wires line Wires ifiis connected Wlti the bmcnng nes if by means ci e, bin i 0' i, i .um ll may be in lie loin t with each otner. ie stationery contact ter- (See " id il 10i i s c neet/ed with e center cmtzrct by means oi e comyectmg` sc 'ew or other ordinary secnrinif ineens sind contact ,sfu if) 1 D 1 '7 V1' sie being; connecten im any desired ordinary and well known nmnier with e, correspondin termoi i oi z connecting plug, inceni Een or Y/tber device to be supplied 'city 'nnoieced Within llie with seid.Stationery k" merlmnisn'f...

se oi the bind'meY l iorni and adapted post 5l is il' Y to be electrical@y 'i inail or slieii of e lrinp y other 'ic device in any desired ordinary and ell known manner. find the binding post l: connected with the other lead-in Wire b17 ineens of e connecting ng screw (See Figs. Vl,

class describedir the for exemple, in-

ier of seid ter-` from tbe term i nl 10, by the crei.; l? adopted-to secure Seid Y i movabie Contact combination of a Contact terminal, a movable lcontact member, resilient actuating means in operative'engagement With said member, ai stationary de! tent zulapte'd to engage and vrcle'z'isably hold saidj rcsiiient actuatingrr means at a tension and means for rotating said actuating` means'circumterentially relative to its length to put same under tension alternately in diiierent directions. N y i 2. ,In an electric switclnft'he combination ot a contact terminal, a movable contact member, resilient actuating means adapted to move said movable contact member into and out' oi engagement with said yfirst-mentioned contact terminal, and checking means radapted to engage and releasablylhold said resilient actuating means at a tension in a. plurality of predetermined positions successiveiy independently et' said movable ccn-v tact member, andV means for rotating said actuating means circumferentially relative to its lengt-ii to put saine under tension alter-r nately inY different directions.

3. In an electric svvitch, the combination of av contactterminal, a movable contact member, resilient actua-ting means adaptedr to move said movable contact member into u and out ci' engagement Witli said first-nicntioned contact terminal, to open vand close an electric circuit, and vstationary f check? ing means adapted to .engage `and releasably,

iold said resilient actuating means in a piuraiity oi' predetermined directions inde; pendentiy of said movablecontact member,

and means for rotating said actuating means circumferentially `'relative to its length to put same under tension successively in differentv directions related to said predetermined, positions.

In an electric switch, the combination oi a contact terminal, a movable" contact member, an actuating spring adapted to..

move said movable contact member into and out oil engagement with said irst-men tioncd contact terminal, v,to open and close an electric circuit, a stationary detent adapt-y to engage and releasably hold said actuspring at a tension independently of movable contact member, and means for rot-ating said actuating means circumferentially relative to its length to put same under tension alternately in. diii'erent directions.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact terminal, a movable contact member, resilient actuating` means in operativc engagement With said movable contact member, a stationary detent adapted to engage and releasably hold said resilient actuating means at a tension, andmeans for rotating the resilient actuating means circumi'erentially relative to its length to put same `under tension alternately in different directions.

bridging f6; Iii an lectiieswiteh, the combination of a contact terminal, .amovable contact member, resilient actuating means in rota` tive engagement with and ad'aptec'l to move i tiveto itslengtlito put same under Ytension alternately rin i different directions to .bias

vsaid movable 'contact member in predetermined selectable positions.

7. In an electric switch, the combination of a stationary Contact terminal, a movable Contactmember,resilicnt actuating means adapted to move said movable contact mem'- ber into and out ot' contact vvith said sta-v tionary Contact terminal, to openand close an electric-.circuia and'means for' rotating said actuating means circumferentially relative to its lengtlirto put sai'n'eunder tension successively in diticrent directions.

y 8. In' an electric switch, `the combination y of a'stationary contact, a n'iovable contact member,- an actuating spring adapted to move said movable contact member into and out of contact ivitli said stationary coi'itact, to open and close an electric circuit, statiiin'- ary checking means adapted to engage and tension in differentl movement successive l ing: said actuating spring.. circumferentially relative' to its length .to put saine under tension successivelyin diifeient directions,

9. In an electric switch, the combination of a pair of Contact terminals, a movabler switch member, an actuating spring rotatively mounted inv operative engagement with said movable bridging member and adapted to move vtliesame into and out of yengagementr with said contact lterminals, lto open and close an elcctricfcircuit, guiding" means in guiding engagement with said bridging member, stationary spring-em ga'ging checking meansV adapted to engage and relcasably hold said actuating spring .in different positions in vits patii oi' movement successively, and meansiior turning said actuating spring upon its axis to set the same at a tension in releasable engagement With said spring-engaging checking means.

l0. In lanelectric switch, the combination of a contact terminal', a movable contact positions of its path oi "member, a stationary guide in guiding enrections with respect to said contact terminal alternately, and detents adapted to releasably engage and resist the movement of said recipiocatory actuating means in the direction of said contact terminal.

.releasably liold ysaid actuating spring ata y,- and means for rotat-l l1. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact terminal, a movable contact member, reciprocatory actuating means in operative engagement with and adapted to' actuate said movable contact member alternately in opposite directions with respect' to said first-mentioned contact terminal, and a slotted guide provided With detents adapted to releasably engage and successively resist and permit the free movement of said reciprocatory'actuating' means with respect to said firstnnentioned contact terminal.

l2. In an electric srv-itch, the combination of a pair oli cont-act terminals, a movable contact member, reciprocatory actuating means in operative engagement with and adapted to actuate said movable contact member 4alternately in opposite directions with respect to said contact terminals, to open and close an electric circuit Within which said, terminals are adapted to be cmbraced, and a guide in guiding engagement with said movable contact member and provided with a slotor opening for receiving said reciprocatory actuating means, said guide having detent shoulders adapted to releasably engage and alternately restrain and permit the free movement oit said reciprocatory actuating means.

13. In an electric switch, the combination of a. pair of contact terminals, a movable contact member, actuating means comprising a resilientelement adapted to move said movable contact member alternately in opposit-e directions with respect to said contact terminals, to open and close an electric circuit in which said terminals are adapted to of a pair of contact terminals, a movable cont-act member, actuating means comprising an actuating spring rotat-ively mounted and having a reciprocating spring arm in operative engagement with said movable contact member and normally projecting outward laterally from and at an oblique angle with respect to lthe axis et rotation of said spring and adapted to actuate said movable contact member transversely in opposite directions with respect to said axis of rotation of said spring, a slotted gnide in guiding engagement with said movable contact member and provided ivitli detent shoulders adapted to alternately clieclr and permit the free movement of said reciprocatory actuating means and movable contact member, and means.; for rotatively supporting and intermittently rotating said actuating spring.

Signed at Chicago inthe county oit Cook and State lot Illin this 2nd day of' July,

WILLIAM Lmnsar. 

